I’ve never posted a trip report here because I believe my hikes seemed a bit unadventurous compared to the off-trail gurus who regularly post here. But this year, after lurking and reading numerous TRs by rlown, kpeter, AlmostThere, Wandering Daisy, Hobbs, SSSdave, Rogue, copeg, maverick (please come back!), and all the rest of you, and in honor of quentinc, here goes:

This year, after sticking to trails and never wandering very far off, I decided to put my practiced navigation skills into use. I wanted to head over a cross country pass, and since I travel solo (and am a bit of a senior!) I believe in taking baby steps with anything new. I studied the Cross Country Pass section of HST, and decided on Knapsack Pass.

On July 23rd I headed out….and was quickly reminded of the throngs of folks on the Bishop Pass trail…yet another reason to explore cross country. Up and over the pass I went, and jumped off the trail at the upper Dusy Basin Lake. I headed over to Lake 11388 where, already, it appeared I had left the crowd behind. I remembered reading a post about good campsites near the outlet of the next lake down, due east of Isosceles Peak, and headed there. With the exception of a couple trying out their brand new fishing equipment (and having no luck) who left in the afternoon, I had the lake to myself. I had a lovely sunset on Mt. Agassiz and a clear, starry night.

The next day dawned clear and bright. Instead of dropping down to the lower Dusy Lakes and then going back up, I worked my way level over to the area of Knapsack. At one point I had this view…..

and thought, “Should I be doing this?” I decided to get closer for a better view, because I’m never too proud to turn around!

There was a boulder field I had to work my way through and a little bit of willow bashing, but I arrived in the “center” of the route. From there I worked my way up and around easily-negotiable slabs just to the right of the drainage area. A peak back at the lake area where I had started…..

After all of my worries, the route finding turned out to be rather easy and fun! I made it to the pass and was really excited….

I returned by dropping down to the lower Dusy lakes where I explored, then worked my way back up to my campsite.

My winter will be spent studying maps and posts here for further off-trail exploration next summer. A BIG OL’ FAT THANK YOU to all who share your adventures, knowledge and inspiration!

Fantastic TR Bakogal!! Way to go on the first XC trip!!. I did about the same route over Knapsack into the Palisades Basin many moons ago (79 I believe) and you photos brought back a ton of memories. Thanks for sharing your trip and pics!!

If you stand in the light, you get the feel of the night, and the music that plays in your ear......In your mind you can hear, a voice so sweet and clear, and the music that plays in your head......As it flows up from the ground, taking all that hear the sound, close your eyes, it’s about to begin.

Great first TR Bakoga! It sounds like you may have caught the cross country bug. Your pxts and narration totally conveyed the excitement of the experience. +1 on Barrett Lakes. You were very close to Palisades Basin, a beautiful place with no trails. BTW you did some of the Sierra High Route:)